If there is anyone who’s reaping the benefits of a new year, then it has to be retired Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.
The latter has been admitted in the small club of former state officers high rollers like the likes of retired presidents Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Arap Moi.
According to a bill tabled in parliament, his hefty retirement package will definitely elicit all manner of mixed reactions among Kenyan taxpayers. It will include a monthly pension equivalent to 80% of his last salary, a lump sum of five times his last salary, security and medical insurance and a diplomatic passport for him and the spouse.
Wait, that’s not all. He will also receive a saloon car, a four wheel drive vehicle which will all come with drivers and a fuel allowance equivalent to 15% of the monthly pay of the serving CJ. He will also get a personal assistant, one secretary, one housekeeper, one senior support staff, one cleaner and one gardener.
According to Salaries and Remuneration commission, the Chief Justice is entitled to a monthly pay of Ksh 1,380,351 and this is while excluding other perks so you can imagine all the monies will be taking home.
Hefty state retirement packages have come under sharp criticism in the recent past with the High court last year stopping payment of millions in allowances to the retired leaders.
The Attorney General Githu Muigai however appealed and the payments were reinstated.
The bill was presented in parliament by the majority leader Aden Duale.